Ashley Allen (CBS, ‘19) entered Columbia with a passion for advocating for greater diversity, equity and inclusion, and that passion extended throughout her time in business school. In addition to taking a leadership role as the Co-President of the Black Business Student Association, Allen explored diversity through her classes, the relationships with her diverse classmates and through traveling the world from Cuba to Tunisia. She shared with us how these experiences enriched her mind and why an MBA at CBS given her the confidence to further her career.
MBASchooled: What was the most important lesson you learned in business school?
You have to admit when you are wrong. There is no integrity or honor in pretentious irrationality.
MBASchooled: What part of you has undergone the most transformation as a result of business school?
I believe I had had pretty strong EQ skills heading into business school but those skills were absolutely enhanced during my time at CBS. Courses like Bridging The American Divide, one of my favorite courses at CBS, allows business school students to take a break from their spreadsheets to learn about various American cultures and business decisions that affect them. During this course we tackled topics like immigration, politics and socioeconomic differences in the US, and, how our future business decisions will impact people from all walks of life. I believe that being able to have these difficult discussions in a respectful environment allowed all students involved, myself included, to gain greater empathy towards each other and towards others who may hold different beliefs.
MBASchooled: You were very active in student leadership activities, such as serving as Co-President of the Black Business Student Association, and VP of Admissions for CBS Reflects. What did you enjoy and learn from these experiences?
I loved being able to advocate for more Diversity, Equity and Inclusion while at CBS. I am a big believer that the student bodies of elite business schools should be representative of the US population (exclusive of the diversity that international students bring); specifically with a focus on ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. With that being said, CBS and other top MBA programs have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to achieve what I believe is adequate diversification in these areas. My involvement with CBS Reflects and the Black Business Student Association were my ways of working to make the campus a more inclusive place.
MBASchooled: During your time in business school, what was a challenge that you faced, how did you work through it, and what did you learn?
One of the biggest challenges I faced in business school was time management. It’s not that I was bad at managing my schedule before, it’s just that business school throws so much at you so that it is impossible to do everything you set out to do. Prioritization is key. I quickly learned that I would not be able to be great at everything and that for some things, ‘good enough’ is in fact good enough. This life lesson can be challenging for type A students to accept but you will not make it through business school (with your sanity) if you do not.
MBASchooled: How has your outlook on yourself and your own career changed as a result of your MBA Experience?
Travel during my time at CBS has probably changed me the most. I visited a steel plant in Ohio, an art gallery in Cuba, a olive grove in Tunisia and the Eiffel Tower in Paris to name a few. These distinctive experiences, all centered around doing business in other parts of the world, has allowed me to see myself as more of a global citizen.
MBASchooled: As you re-enter the workforce, how do you see what you’ve learned in business school helping you as you navigate your career?
I participated in a handful of stock pitching competitions while in business school and those events helped me hone my investment communication skills. For me, being able to convey complicated information in a clear and concise manner is a valuable skill to have in Equity Research. However, opportunities to practice in real life work scenarios happened all the time at CBS and they were not just limited to those interested in investment management careers; consultants, bankers, tech product managers and entrepreneurs alike all had opportunities to perfect their newly acquired/refined skills in various competitions or consulting projects.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for other students on how they can make the most of their MBA Experience?
Be willing to listen and learn from your classmates, especially at a school like CBS where nearly 50% of the student body is comprised of international students. Be open to learning something new, being made uncomfortable and have your mind changed. If you don’t emerge from the program with a greater sense of self – you did it wrong.